How to install Google Earth on Ubuntu / Linux?

Anurag Bansal

Anurag Bansal is the Founder & CEO of Techacker. He is an entrepreneur, technology enthusiasts and social media strategist helping startups and fellow entrepreneurs achieve success by leveraging the power of internet, social media and mobile web. Catch him on Twitter (@techacker), Facebook and Google+.

You may also like...

65 Responses

  1. jemiro says:

    Thx so much!! it so help me!! doble thumb 4 u ^^,

  2. You can just create a launcher for it on your Desktop.
    For that, just right click on your desktop -> Create Launcher and provide the path as you mentioned above.
    Hopefully it will be easy for you to use Google Earth.

    Welcome to Ubuntu world.

    Cheers

  3. ekdulon says:

    “The program is in /home/diaz/Google-Earth but I don’t know how to start it from there. Can you help?”

    Start Terminal and go to /home/diaz/Google-Earth.Find the file googleearth and start it with

    ./googleearth

    This works for me.I am with Ubuntu 8.10-intrepid

  4. partagas says:

    Installed GEarth in Ubuntu 9.04. Run for the first time and shut it off. When I tried to run it again….surprise! no icon in the desktop and the program does not show anywhere in applications. Intalled GEarth second time and same thing.
    The program is in /home/diaz/Google-Earth but I don’t know how to start it from there. Can you help?

    P.S. As you can easily guess, I am a newcomer in linux after being a Dos and windows user for many years ….Everything is new for me
    Thank you

  5. Kyle says:

    This is the error I get, any ideas?! I have tried the video link, no help.

    kyle@Dell ~/Desktop $ ./GoogleEarthLinux.bin
    Verifying archive integrity… All good.
    Uncompressing Google Earth for GNU/Linux 5.0.11733.9347……………………………………………………..
    setup.data/bin/Linux/amd64/setup.gtk2: error while loading shared libraries: libxml2.so.2: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
    setup.data/bin/Linux/amd64/setup.gtk: error while loading shared libraries: libSM.so.6: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
    The setup program seems to have failed on amd64

    Fatal error, installer failed to run at all!

  6. Kyle says:

    Cant install the Binary on the x64 version of Umbuntu, now what?

  7. ekdulon says:

    here is the video tutorial to downloading, installing and start Google Earth in Ubuntu
    http://revver.com/video/1802240/how-to-install-google-earth-in-linux/

  8. ekdulon says:

    here is the video tutorial to downloading, installing and start Google Earth in Ubuntu

  9. Ed Frey says:

    I have tried to install GE 5-6 times now and am getting nowhere. Can any one help me? Here is what I got on my latest attempt, I did not reach Step #5.

    edlfrey@ubuntu:~$ cd ~/Desktop
    edlfrey@ubuntu:~/Desktop$ sh GoogleEarthLinux.bin
    Verifying archive integrity… All good.
    Uncompressing Google Earth for GNU/Linux 5.0.11733.9347……………………………………………………..
    Gtk-Message: Failed to load module “canberra-gtk-module”: /usr/lib/gtk-2.0/modules/libcanberra-gtk-module.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64
    loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option

    /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgiogconf.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64
    Failed to load module: /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgiogconf.so
    /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgvfsdbus.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64
    Failed to load module: /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgvfsdbus.so
    /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgioremote-volume-monitor.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64
    Failed to load module: /usr/lib/gio/modules/libgioremote-volume-monitor.so
    loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option

  10. Toni says:

    All goes well, but when I try to start it from the terminal I get error:

    ./googleearth-bin: error while loading shared libraries: libGL.so.1: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

    If I try to start it by clicking on the desktop, nothing happenes at all. SUSE 11.1, 64 bit
    Any Ideas?

  11. Julio says:

    thanks so much.
    installed and running.

  12. maarten says:

    Hi Anurag,

    Thanks, that was the issue. well actually I tried with and without the space but it was the capital letter on ‘D’ of desktop. didn’t reaslise it was this sensitive.
    However I run into the next snag: sh GoogleEarthLinux.bin. it rsponds sh: Can’t open GoogleEarthLinux.bin.
    Now I see a similar entry above but the responses below don’t resolve this helas…
    Thanks again, this is my first week in Ubuntu. I like what I see but need to find my way about a bit..
    Maarten (currently in Muscat Oman)

  13. Are you sure there is a space between cd and ~/Desktop.
    May be that’s the reason, it shows the above error.

    Check out and let me know.
    Thanks
    Anurag Bansal

  14. maarten says:

    When I type in the terminal cd~/desktop I get the response bash: cd~/desktop no such file or directory

    how do I progress from here?

  15. sarwiz says:

    Got it installed ok, thanks for the help on that, but it will only run out of the install window, and not from the terminal. Starts up , but doesn’t load any maps. Fairly new ubuntu 9.04 user, and on a new hp G60 laptop. (.04 is the only one that would even install here. Help?

  16. Christopher says:

    Thank you for posting this = )

  17. mickey12gauge says:

    When starting Google Earth it abruptly closes…

    Uncompressing Google Earth for GNU/Linux 5.0.11337.1968……………………………………………………..
    loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option

    loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option

    loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option

    Installing mimetypes…
    Installing desktop menu entries…
    Installing desktop icon…
    ./googleearth-bin: relocation error: /usr/lib/i686/cmov/libssl.so.0.9.8: symbol BIO_test_flags, version OPENSSL_0.9.8 not defined in file libcrypto.so.0.9.8 with link time reference

  18. Reisa says:

    Carson — great tip – worked like a charm. The simplest solutions are always the best.

  19. Art says:

    Ubuntu , stinks!! Windows, stinks!!!!,Mac,stinks!!! Can you make something user-TRUE-friendly.
    I can not install Brother mfc-240c,earth.google.com,
    People there is 21st century.Where is your logic, writing comand like Atari.I give you idea, make it like LEGO , or like pins in electronics elements male-fimale, same way how you installing hardware on motherbord.

  20. Paresh says:

    thanks for simple and effective instructions. I am a linux newbie and this is so simple…

  21. Drew says:

    Thank you! I’d been trying to figure this out forever.

    New to linux, and thanks to you, simple installation. Thank you!

  22. Zlox says:

    Thanx!
    I did it my way. I downloaded OLDER version, installed it, I suppose on correct location, and then, it miraculously worked! Both versions…
    Old one starts from terminal, and new, from menu.
    I think older version have made correct changes to libraries.
    IMPORTANT!
    Do it on your OWN risk. I will take no responsibility if something goes wrong.
    Sincerely, Zlox

  23. Loki says:

    Thanks Carlos! Works perfectly now 🙂

  24. Carlos Gonzalez says:

    Zlox,

    look at my post up here, #25 this will help you.

    Carlos

  25. Zlox says:

    I have done all the steps, but program crashes after displayng welcome splash image and the first screen with tips and the space…
    1. How to uninstall(if it is possible)
    2. Will the older version work better (I have downloaded 5.0 beta)?

  26. Yogesh says:

    So many thanks for giving such valuable way.

  27. stevesdigi says:

    March 5, 2009 at 5:59 am

    Carlos Gonzalez Says:

    February 7, 2009 at 6:03 pm

    Damian,

    I had the same problem.

    do this:

    ~/google-earth$ sudo mv libcrypto.so.0.9.8 libcrypto.so.0.9.8.old

    then do this:

    ~/google-earth$ ln -s /usr/lib/libcrypto.so libcrypto.so.0.9.8

    Voila…

    Carlos

    —————————————–

    Thanks Carlos, followed your directions and now it works! You’re the bomb dude, thanks!

    -Steve

  28. Carson says:

    There is a simple way to resolve the problem:

    1 Put the router (or modem) OFF
    2 Open Google Earth
    3 Go to “TOOLS”
    4 “OPTIONS”
    5″GENERAL”
    6 Undo “SHOW STARTUP TIPS”
    7 OK
    8 Close the program
    9 Put the router on
    10 Open Google Earth… and have a nice tour..!!

  29. philip says:

    Can someone tell me what I’m doing wrong?
    I downloaded GoogleEarth to the Desktop,typed in the first steps and below is the result.

    p@p-desktop:~$ cd ~/Desktop
    p@p-desktop:~/Desktop$ sh GoogleEarthLinux.bin
    sh: Can’t open GoogleEarthLinux.bin
    p@p-desktop:~/Desktop$

  30. smith says:

    Thank you Mihai

    I had the same problem and your commands worked perfectly!

  31. Mihai says:

    Carlos Gonzalez Says:

    February 7, 2009 at 6:03 pm

    Damian,

    I had the same problem.

    do this:

    ~/google-earth$ sudo mv libcrypto.so.0.9.8 libcrypto.so.0.9.8.old

    then do this:

    ~/google-earth$ ln -s /usr/lib/libcrypto.so libcrypto.so.0.9.8

    Voila…

    Carlos

    It works, Thank you

  32. OldBitByter says:

    I tried the install above, noted a couple of “suspect lines”.

    loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option

    loki_setup: Suspect size value for option option

    Installing mimetypes…
    Installing desktop menu entries…
    Installing desktop icon…
    Warning: Unable to create prefs directory ‘/root/.googleearth’. File exists.
    ./googleearth-bin: relocation error: /usr/lib/i686/cmov/libssl.so.0.9.8: symbol BIO_test_flags, version OPENSSL_0.9.8 not defined in file libcrypto.so.0.9.8 with link time reference

    And when I tried second suggestion:
    root@mike-desktop:~/Desktop# ~/google-earth$ sudo mv libcrypto.so.0.9.8 libcrypto.so.0.9.8.old
    bash: /home/mike/google-earth$: No such file or directory

    This leads me to believe I am missing something in the install.

  33. ankit says:

    i have installed google earth..from above instructions and it runs so smoothly…
    thanks

  34. sally says:

    I just installed google earth on ubuntu and all seemed to go smoothly.. Now I get a small google picture, but no writing and can go no further. Desktop says :
    Warning: Unable to create prefs directory ‘/home/sally/.googleearth’. File exists.
    Can you help please? Thanks

  35. Jason says:

    I installed Google Earth as above as above, when I try to run the program an initializing screen comes up and nothing else! Google Earth did work on the MS Vista before I installed Ubuntu about 2 or 3 weeks ago.

    The computer is an off the shelf (from Walmart) Dell Inspiron 530.

  36. Josh says:

    I just installed linux and when I try and load google earth I get this error in the Terminal

    ./setup.sh: 284: setup.data/bin/Linux/amd64/setup.gtk2: not found
    ./setup.sh: 299: setup.data/bin/Linux/amd64/setup.gtk: not found
    The setup program seems to have failed on amd64

    Fatal error, installer failed to run at all!

    any thoughts?

  37. Carlos Gonzalez says:

    Damian,

    I had the same problem.

    do this:

    ~/google-earth$ sudo mv libcrypto.so.0.9.8 libcrypto.so.0.9.8.old

    then do this:

    ~/google-earth$ ln -s /usr/lib/libcrypto.so libcrypto.so.0.9.8

    Voila…

    Carlos

  38. Damian says:

    Same problem here. I’ve moved to Ubuntu on my desktop and laptop. I’m having the same problem on both machines. Start, splash screen, tips, then everything closes.

  39. Mysticyx says:

    Same as victor. No time to change the graphics, ’cause it quits right after startup.

  40. Victor says:

    I have followed allthe instructions for the installation of Google Earth and,it looks like it has done ok but, when I try to start it initializes and stops. Can you help on with some hint?
    Thanks a lot

  41. OldBitByter says:

    Oh, I should probably mention os is Ubuntu 8.04. Also, I ended up with utility in Synaptic Package Manager that supposedly makes it possible to build package of Google Earth, but no explanation. I’ve installed 4.3 successfully but was really trying to get the newer version so I removed it. I’m pretty confused at this point.

  42. OldBitByter says:

    I followed instructions and install seemed to go correctly. But, when I run installed Google Earth, I get splash, then tip window in front of another window, then after about 1 sec, the two windows close out.

    I am running Asus Rampage mb with Intel quad 4 processor, 6 gig ram, and nvidia geforce 280 video.

  43. Svedski says:

    Thanks for explanation. I first tried but failed due to I copied and got a . after bin.

    But then after installing on Ubuntu 8.04 the screen crashed, but the reason was you need Nvidia proprietary drivers to have support for the 3D in Google Earth !!

  44. Carlos Gonzalez says:

    Hello everyone,

    I’ve installed google earth by doing:

    sudo sh GoogleEarthLinux.bin.

    installed perfectly in /opt/google-earth/ but, it runs well if if I run carlos@mylaptop/opt/google-earth$/sudo googleearth then root password. If I run it with my regular account, it opens google earth but, no planet on it nor places or layers but you have menu, tabs… basically is google earth empty.

    Any Ideas?

    Carlos

  45. salviDADDY says:

    hi,
    is there any way to install flashplayer, or something like it, and google earth to an instinct phone?

    please help…….. thanx!!

  46. moytrix says:

    Thanks from Mexico!!!
    Linux is great!
    Im a new user!
    glad to be it

    THANKS FOR THIS! i didnt know how to install 😀
    thanks!

  47. Nate says:

    Thanks, man. No other tutorials on installing .bin seemed to work — guess they were all set up for other distros?

  48. hehe says:

    8 points to install a .bin file 😀 thanks. nice blog

  49. Ya, it might be because of Graphics card. Latest application require more out from the graphics card. I suggest to have at least 256MB card.
    Definitely it will be time for you to look for change.

    Thanks for dropping by.

    If you like this blog article, then you might like my other blog as well which contains lots of articles on Technology, Check it out @ http://www.knowliz.com

    Cheers
    Anurag Bansal

  50. Julio says:

    Hi thanks a lot; I looked all over the place trying to find a good explanation. Im sure from now on it will be easy for me to install bin files.

    However, I got a small problem. When I try running google earth it crashes.
    My graphics card is not so good. It is a sis650 and it does not allow me to use visual effects, do you think that would be the problem.

    Do you think it you could give me a little help?

  51. Superbo says:

    Thank you so much! Very helpful. Love, love, love Ubuntu! Have moved from Windows and Mac. Will only use them if I have to. Once again, thanks!

  52. Thanks for the comments guys.
    I am happy that this small tip is working for everyone.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.
    BTW, this blog has been merged with http://www.knowliz.com

  53. Carl says:

    Worked perfectly!
    I cut the commands from the instructions and pasted them in the Terminal session to make sure I don’t mistype.

  54. mr. moch says:

    I agree!!!! This is EXTREMELY helpful….I tried making it a .tar.gz, and even an executable, and it didn’t work! Thanks for the info! I still use Windows, but very rarely.

  55. ibes says:

    THANK YOU! Finally some directions for someone who is brand new to Linux but desperately wants to learn… windows is EVIL! Linux is a miracle.

  1. November 17, 2008

    […] Google Earth: You don’t need any detail for it.  Go and install Google earth as mentioned in this post. […]

  2. November 17, 2008

    […] Google Earth: You don’t need any detail for it.  Go and install Google earth as mentioned in this post. […]

  3. November 17, 2008

    […] Google Earth: instalar  Google earth. […]

  4. November 23, 2008

    […] Google Earth: instalar Google earth. […]

  5. November 27, 2008

    […] Google Earth: instalar  Google earth. […]

  6. October 25, 2009

    […] Google Earth: You don’t need any detail for it. Go and install Google earth as mentioned in this post. […]

  7. October 28, 2009

    […] Google Earth: You know you can install Google Earth on Ubuntu also.  Download the installer file from Google and install it.  Though all the installation instruction are mentioned in there for Linux, yet if you find any problem, you can refer to this article on Technomania to find the instructions for Ubuntu.. […]

  8. October 30, 2009

    […] How to install Google Earth on Ubuntu/Linux? […]